An experimental study of huff-and-puff oil recovery for tight-tuff heavy oil reservoirs by synergistic with viscosity reducer and CO2 utilizing online NMR technology Hao Chen, Pei-Fu Xu, Yong-Xian Zhu, Jia-Yi Yu, Mei Zhang, Xian-Min Zhou, Ming-Cheng Ni, Yi Wu, Xi-Liang Liu Petroleum Science, 2025 The tight-tuff heavy oil reservoir exhibits severe heterogeneity and is characterized by high density, high viscosity, and a high wax content, posing significant challenges for its development. While CO 2 huff-and-puff (H-n-P) enhances oil recovery, these reservoirs struggle with low displacement efficiency. This study proposes a method that combines CO 2 with an oil-soluble viscosity reducer to improve displacement efficiency in the H-n-P process for tight-tuff heavy oil reservoirs. It also focuses on evaluating pore utilization limits and optimizing the injection strategy. Core samples and crude oil from the TH oilfield (a tight-tuff heavy oil reservoir) were used to conduct online NMR core flooding experiments, including depletion development, water, CO 2 , and HDC (CO 2 combined with an oil-soluble viscosity reducer) H-n-P injection processes. A single-porosity model accurately reflecting its geological characteristics was developed using the GEM component simulator within the CMG numerical simulation software to investigate the optimized schemes and the enhanced oil recovery potential for a tight-tuff heavy oil reservoir in the TH oilfield. This model was utilized to evaluate the impact of various injection strategies on oilfield recovery efficiency. The study was designed and implemented with five distinct injection schemes. Results showed that oil was produced primarily from large and medium pores during the depletion stage, while water H-n-P, with CO 2 H-n-P, first targeted macropores, then mesopores, and micropores. The lower pore utilization limit was 0.0267 μm. In the HDC H-n-P process, most oil was recovered from water-flooded pores. Still, HDC's lower injection capacity increased the pore utilization limit to 0.03 μm, making micropore recovery difficult. Experimental and modeling results suggest that the optimal development plan for the TH oilfield is one cycle of HDC H-n-P followed by two cycles of CO 2 H-n-P. This strategy leverages HDC's ability to promote water and oil recovery in the early stage and mass transfer and extraction capacity of CO 2 in later cycles. Additionally, the characteristics of CO 2 and HDC H-n-P processes, pore utilization, and recoverable oil (at the pore scale) were evaluated. The results of this study are crucial for refining the reservoir development plan.
Experimental Evaluation of Recoverable Oil Dynamic and CO2Storage Efficiency in Pore Scale by the NMR CO2Huff-and-Puff Injection Process in Tight Oil Reservoirs Yao Zhao, Zhongliang Yu, Wenshuang Geng, Weiming Cheng, Xiliang Liu, Xianmin Zhou, Hao Chen ACS Omega, 2025 High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide This study investigates the impact of various factors on the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) huff-and-puff-enhanced oil recovery process in tight oil reservoirs, particularly the V oil group in the Gao 5 fault block. Utilizing the online NMR core flooding technology, experiments were conducted under reservoir conditions (55 MPa pressure and 127 °C temperature) to analyze the effects of injection timing, pressure, and soaking time on displacement efficiency, oil production dynamics at the pore scale, and CO 2 storage efficiency. Breaking new ground in understanding the interplay between operational parameters and reservoir response, the research reveals that a precisely calibrated pressure coefficient of 0.7 maximizes recovery across multiple cycles, while deviations from 0.8 trigger an unexpected 8.02% decline in recovery, uncovering a previously unrecognized threshold in pressure optimization. The work fundamentally advances knowledge of pore-scale fluid behavior by demonstrating how excessive pressure differentials induce irreversible pore structure damage, with striking evidence that micropores (>1 μm) serve as dual-function hotspots─contributing over 48.57% of total oil production while unexpectedly emerging as dominant CO 2 sequestration sites. Challenging conventional wisdom, the study identifies a critical time-dependent mechanism where delayed injection timing selectively impairs oil mobilization from micro- to nanoscale pores (0.1–1 μm), creating novel opportunities for the synchronized optimization of both recovery efficiency and carbon storage. These transformative insights redefine the engineering paradigm for tight reservoir development by establishing quantitative relationships between injection protocols, pore-scale fluid redistribution, and the coupled performance of hydrocarbon production and CO 2 storage.
Optimizing the development plan for oil production and CO2 storage in target oil reservoir Xiliang Liu, Hao Chen, Yang Li, Weiming Cheng, Yangwen Zhu, Hongbo Zeng, Haiying Liao Energy Geoscience, 2025 Carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO 2 -EOR) technology is used for oil production and CO 2 storage in reservoirs. Methods are being constantly developed to optimize oil recovery and CO 2 storage during the CO 2 displacement process, especially for low-permeability reservoirs under varying geological conditions. In this study, long-core experiments and trans-scale numerical simulations are employed to examine the characteristics of oil production and CO 2 storage. Optimal production parameters for the target reservoir are also proposed. The results indicate that maintaining the pressure at 1.04 to 1.10 times the minimum miscible pressure (MMP) and increasing the injection rate can enhance oil production in the early stage of reservoir development. In contrast, reducing the injection rate at the later stages prevents CO 2 channeling, thus improving oil recovery and CO 2 storage efficiency. A solution-doubling factor is introduced to modify the calculation method for CO 2 storage, increasing its accuracy to approximately 90 %. Before CO 2 breakthrough, prioritizing oil production is recommended to maximize the economic benefits of this process. In the middle stage of CO 2 displacement, decreasing the injection rate optimizes the coordination between oil displacement and CO 2 storage. Further, in the late stage, reduced pressure and injection rates are required as the focus shifts to CO 2 storage. • The micro-mechanisms of CO 2 flooding and sequestration under varying miscibility degrees. • A comprehensive factor for evaluating CO 2 displacement and sequestration effectiveness is proposed. • Refinement of mathematical models for CO 2 displacement and sequestration across different production stages.
Oil production characteristics and CO2 storage mechanisms of CO2 flooding in ultra-low permeability sandstone oil reservoirs Xiliang LIU, Hao CHEN, Yang LI, Yangwen ZHU, Haiying LIAO, Qingmin ZHAO, Xianmin ZHOU, Hongbo ZENG Petroleum Exploration and Development, 2025 Using the ultra-low permeability reservoirs in the L block of the Jiangsu oilfield as an example, a series of experiments, including slim tube displacement experiments of CO 2 -oil system, injection capacity experiments, and high-temperature, high-pressure online nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) displacement experiments, are conducted to reveal the oil/gas mass transfer pattern and oil production mechanisms during CO 2 flooding in ultra-low permeability reservoirs. The impacts of CO 2 storage pore range and miscibility on oil production and CO 2 storage characteristics during CO 2 flooding are clarified. The CO 2 flooding process is divided into three stages: oil displacement stage by CO 2 , CO 2 breakthrough stage, CO 2 extraction stage. Crude oil expansion and viscosity reduction are the main mechanisms for improving recovery in the CO 2 displacement stage. After CO 2 breakthrough, the extraction of light components from the crude oil further enhances oil recovery. During CO 2 flooding, the contribution of crude oil in large pores to the enhanced recovery exceeds 46%, while crude oil in medium pores serves as a reserve for incremental recovery. After CO 2 breakthrough, a small portion of the crude oil is extracted and carried into nano-scale pores by CO 2 , becoming residual oil that is hard to recover. As the miscibility increases, the CO 2 front moves more stably and sweeps a larger area, leading to increased CO 2 storage range and volume. The CO 2 full-storage stage contributes the most to the overall CO 2 storage volume. In the CO 2 escape stage, the storage mechanism involves partial in-situ storage of crude oil within the initial pore range and the CO 2 carrying crude oil into smaller pores to increase the volume of stored CO 2 . In the CO 2 leakage stage, as crude oil is produced, a significant amount of CO 2 leaks out, causing a sharp decline in the storage efficiency.
Optimization of the Development Plan for CO2 Displacement Considering the Synergistic Effects of Oil Production and CO2 Storage in Low-Permeability Oil Reservoirs Xiliang Liu, Hao Chen, Xinlong Yang, Yang Li, Peifu Xu, Mingcheng Ni Proceedings of the Annual Offshore Technology Conference, 2025 CO2-enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) technology can achieve the dual purposes of oil production and CO2 storage, which has attracted wide attention. However, due to the economic benefits of CO2 capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology, how to maximize enhanced oil recovery and CO2 storage during the CO2 displacement process remains open. Besides, there is little research on the mechanisms of CO2 displacement and storage in low-permeability oil reservoirs under different conditions. This study investigates the synergistic effects of CO2-EOR and geological CO2 storage efficiency under varying injection stages and rates. A comprehensive synergy factor is proposed to evaluate the trade-offs between oil recovery and CO2 storage. The factor incorporates weighted contributions of the oil recovery factor, determined by stage-average recovery degree and oil displacement rates, and the CO2 storage factor, derived from cumulative storage ratio and storage volume. Weight assignments adapt dynamically to project objectives, prioritizing oil recovery during early stages, balanced considerations during intermediate stages, and CO2 storage during later stages. Results reveal distinct performance characteristics across three stages: the CO2-EOR and storage synergy stage, the oil displacement stage, and the CO2 storage stage. At an injection rate of 20000 m3/d, the synergy stage demonstrates peak efficiency with enhanced oil recovery and CO2 storage capacity, attributed to increased formation pressure and improved crude oil mobilization. The displacement stage emphasizes oil recovery, facilitated by reduced viscosity through CO2 dissolution, with optimal performance observed at 15000 m3/d. During the storage stage, CO2 solubility and storage efficiency improve under higher pressure conditions, with reduced gas channeling and effective long-term CO2 storage achieved at 5000 m3/d. Numerical simulations indicate that CO2 injection velocities significantly influence both oil recovery and CO2 storage outcomes. Higher injection rates enhance crude oil displacement and CO2 storage indices, extending reservoir productivity while addressing climate mitigation goals. However, excessive rates lead to gas channeling, necessitating well shut-in strategies to optimize pressure and suppress flow along high-permeability pathways. This study provides critical insights into optimizing CO2-EOR and geological storage strategies, supporting sustainable hydrocarbon recovery and carbon storage initiatives.
Dynamic Characteristics and Storage Potential of Water-Alternating-CO2 in Low Permeability Reservoirs Zhilin Wang, Zhengjun Ge, Bo Lin, Hongyan Zhao, Haipeng Liu, Mingcheng Ni, Xiliang Liu, Xianmin Zhou, Hao Chen Energy and Fuels, 2024 Oil reservoirs in China, largely characterized by low permeability and heterogeneity, face challenges with conventional water flooding, such as rising water cuts and declining recovery rates. Over 60% of reserves are in low and ultralow permeability reservoirs. To improve oil recovery and CO 2 storage after water flooding, water-alternating-gas (WAG) injection is gaining attention. However, uncertainties remain regarding the effects of water cuts on minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) and the influence of slug ratios and sizes on oil recovery and storage efficiency during WACO2 injection. This study addresses these issues in the L block of the Jiangsu oilfield through slim tube tests, long-core flooding, and online NMR experiments. Key findings include: water cuts had minimal impact on MMP but affected oil recovery under nonmiscible conditions. The optimal CO 2 displacement and storage synergy occurred with a slug size of 0.1 PV and a slug ratio of 1:1, though a 1.5:1 ratio was also viable. Online NMR results showed that most recoverable oil can be extracted under miscible conditions, while some oil migrated under immiscible conditions, recoverable with increased pressure. CO 2 override and gravity separation were absent during WACO 2 but observed in continuous CO 2 injection. This research provides valuable insights into the feasibility of CO 2 flooding, the impact of water cuts on miscibility, and the recovery mechanisms during WACO 2 injection, offering guidance for enhanced oil recovery in low-permeability reservoirs.
CO2 Front Migration Law and Injection-Production Optimization Based on Incomplete-Miscible Displacement Hao Chen, Borui Li, Xiliang Liu, Xianhong Tan, Lijun Zhang, Xiaofeng Tian, Xiaohan Shu, Sitong Wu Energy and Fuels, 2024 At present, CO2 displacement has become one of the most effective ways to develop low-permeability reservoirs, and these were characterized by immiscible interfaces and easy gas channels. In order to clarify the front migration law of low-permeability reservoirs under CO2 displacement, the concepts of pressure front, diffusion front, and interface front were proposed. A conceptual model was established to describe the front migration characteristics and parameter changes of different miscible degrees during displacement. It is worth mentioning that the quantitative characterization of miscibility based on the coupling relationship between the front and the pressure in this work is different from the previous characterization of miscibility by a single pressure parameter, which is more in line with the development characteristics. The results showed that with the increase of the CO2 injection, three fronts migrated from the injection well to production well and the pressure front was the fastest followed by the diffusion front and the interface front. With the decrease of the miscible degree, the pressure front receded faster, the width of the miscible band narrowed by about 11 m, and the degree of miscibility decreased significantly. Based on the front migration law, the injection-production process was optimized as alternating water and gas injection, five-point well pattern, well spacing of 450 m, water and gas slug ratio of 1:1, and slug size of 0.04 HCPV. This work provided some technical guidance for the efficient development of CO2 flooding in low-permeability reservoirs.
Occurrence states and transport behavior of crude oil in different permeability oil reservoirs during depletion development X Liu, H Chen, W Cheng, Y Li, Y Zhao, Y Zhu, H Zeng Geoenergy Science and Engineering 252, 213944 , 2025 2025 Citations: 65
An experimental study on Huff-and-Puff oil recovery for tight-tuff heavy oil reservoirs by synergistic with viscosity reducer and CO2 utilizing online NMR technology H Chen, PF Xu, YX Zhu, JY Yu, M Zhang, XM Zhou, MC Ni, Y Wu, XL Liu Petroleum Science , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Optimizing the development plan for oil production and CO2 storage in target oil reservoir X Liu, H Chen, Y Li, W Cheng, Y Zhu, H Zeng, H Liao Energy Geoscience 6 (2), 100405 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
Optimization of the Development Plan for CO 2 Displacement Considering the Synergistic Effects of Oil Production and CO 2 Storage in Low-Permeability Oil … X Liu, H Chen, X Yang, Y Li, P Xu, M Ni Offshore Technology Conference, D011S004R005 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Oil production characteristics and CO2 storage mechanisms of CO2 flooding in ultra-low permeability sandstone oil reservoirs LIU Xiliang, C Hao, LI Yang, ZHU Yangwen, L Haiying, Z Qingmin, ... Petroleum Exploration and Development 52 (1), 196-207 , 2025 2025 Citations: 128
Characteristics of the CO2 Flooding Front for CO2-EOR in Unconventional Reservoirs: Considering the Different Miscibilities of CO2-Crude Oil X Liu, H Chen, W Cheng, C Xu, M Zuo, S Gao, W Yi, H Liu, X Qi, ... Mediterranean Offshore Conference , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
CO 2 Front Migration Law and Injection-Production Optimization Based on Incomplete-Miscible Displacement H Chen, B Li, X Liu, X Tan, L Zhang, X Tian, X Shu, S Wu Energy & Fuels 38 (19), 18888-18897 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
准噶尔盆地吉木萨尔凹陷页岩油藏注 CO 2 吞吐 提高采收率机理. 左名圣, 陈浩, 赵杰文, 刘希良, 孟展, 柏明星, 杨江, 武艺, 刘海鹏, ... Natural Gas Industry 44 (4) , 2024 2024 Citations: 4
Fractal model of spontaneous imbibition in low-permeability reservoirs coupled with heterogeneity of pore seepage channels and threshold pressure MS Zuo, H Chen, XL Liu, HP Liu, Y Wu, XY Qi Petroleum Science 21 (2), 1002-1017 , 2024 2024 Citations: 30
Inspirations from Field-Reservoir CO 2 Flooding with Different Miscible Degrees under Cross-Scale Oil Reservoir Conditions L Zhang, X Tan, X Tian, Y Jiao, W Zhang, X Shu, B Li, X Liu, H Chen ACS omega 9 (13), 14692-14703 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Study on the influence of steam state on seepage, production, migration and deposition of offshore heavy oilfields Y Zhang, H Chen, Z Zheng, S Yang, X Liu, M Zuo, X Gao Energy 291, 130385 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Seepage Characteristics of Fluids in Cross-Scale Unconventional Oil Reservoirs Based on Different CO 2 Miscibility Degrees X Liu, H Chen, M Zuo, W Cheng, B Li SPE/AAPG/SEG Carbon, Capture, Utilization, and Storage Conference and … , 2024 2024
Study on characterization and distribution of four regions of tight sandstone condensate gas reservoirs in the depletion development process X Liu, H Chen, Z Chen, R Yang, L Song, M Bai, P Qiu, M Zuo, B Li, B Yang, ... Fuel 358, 130267 , 2024 2024 Citations: 55
Study on Different Miscibility Intervals of an Impure CO 2 -Crude Oil System in Offshore Low-Permeability Reservoirs R Yang, L Zhang, X Tan, X Tian, Y Jiao, W Zhang, X Shu, X Liu, B Li, ... Energy & Fuels 38 (2), 1010-1018 , 2024 2024 Citations: 8
The characteristics of CO 2 front dynamic migration in low permeability sandstone oil reservoirs under different miscibility degrees Y Jin, Z Wang, Z Zhang, B Lin, Z Ge, Q You, H Chen, X Liu, C Xu, S Gao, ... Geosystem Engineering 26 (4), 119-128 , 2023 2023 Citations: 9
Formulation and evaluation of a new multi-functional fracturing fluid system with oil viscosity reduction, rock wettability alteration and interfacial modification H Chen, Y Zhang, X Liu, M Zuo, J Liu, H Yu, S Gao, C Xu Journal of Molecular Liquids 375, 121376 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
Effects of CO2 injection volume and formation of in-situ new phase on oil phase behavior during CO2 injection for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in tight oil reservoirs M Zuo, H Chen, X Qi, X Liu, C Xu, H Yu, MS Brahim, Y Wu, H Liu Chemical Engineering Journal 452, 139454 , 2023 2023 Citations: 80
Application of machine learning to evaluating and remediating models for energy and environmental engineering H Chen, C Zhang, H Yu, Z Wang, I Duncan, X Zhou, X Liu, Y Wang, ... Applied Energy 320, 119286 , 2022 2022 Citations: 43
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Effects of miscible degree and pore scale on seepage characteristics of unconventional reservoirs fluids due to supercritical CO2 injection H Chen, X Liu, C Zhang, X Tan, R Yang, S Yang, J Yang Energy 239, 122287 , 2022 2022 Citations: 180
Oil production characteristics and CO2 storage mechanisms of CO2 flooding in ultra-low permeability sandstone oil reservoirs LIU Xiliang, C Hao, LI Yang, ZHU Yangwen, L Haiying, Z Qingmin, ... Petroleum Exploration and Development 52 (1), 196-207 , 2025 2025 Citations: 128
Effects of CO2 injection volume and formation of in-situ new phase on oil phase behavior during CO2 injection for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in tight oil reservoirs M Zuo, H Chen, X Qi, X Liu, C Xu, H Yu, MS Brahim, Y Wu, H Liu Chemical Engineering Journal 452, 139454 , 2023 2023 Citations: 80
A new prediction model of CO2 diffusion coefficient in crude oil under reservoir conditions based on BP neural network H Chen, Y Wang, M Zuo, C Zhang, N Jia, X Liu, S Yang Energy 239, 122286 , 2022 2022 Citations: 69
Empirical correlations for prediction of minimum miscible pressure and near-miscible pressure interval for oil and CO2 systems H Chen, B Li, I Duncan, M Elkhider, X Liu Fuel 278, 118272 , 2020 2020 Citations: 69
Occurrence states and transport behavior of crude oil in different permeability oil reservoirs during depletion development X Liu, H Chen, W Cheng, Y Li, Y Zhao, Y Zhu, H Zeng Geoenergy Science and Engineering 252, 213944 , 2025 2025 Citations: 65
Study on characterization and distribution of four regions of tight sandstone condensate gas reservoirs in the depletion development process X Liu, H Chen, Z Chen, R Yang, L Song, M Bai, P Qiu, M Zuo, B Li, B Yang, ... Fuel 358, 130267 , 2024 2024 Citations: 55
Application of machine learning to evaluating and remediating models for energy and environmental engineering H Chen, C Zhang, H Yu, Z Wang, I Duncan, X Zhou, X Liu, Y Wang, ... Applied Energy 320, 119286 , 2022 2022 Citations: 43
Fractal model of spontaneous imbibition in low-permeability reservoirs coupled with heterogeneity of pore seepage channels and threshold pressure MS Zuo, H Chen, XL Liu, HP Liu, Y Wu, XY Qi Petroleum Science 21 (2), 1002-1017 , 2024 2024 Citations: 30
The impact of the oil character and quartz sands on the thermal behavior and kinetics of crude oil H Chen, X Liu, N Jia, X Tian, I Duncan, R Yang, S Yang Energy 210, 118573 , 2020 2020 Citations: 16
Experimental study on dynamic characteristics of low temperature oxidation for Bohai offshore light oil under reservoir conditions H Chen, X Liu, L Sun, R Yang, S Yang Fuel 283, 119282 , 2021 2021 Citations: 13
CO 2 Front Migration Law and Injection-Production Optimization Based on Incomplete-Miscible Displacement H Chen, B Li, X Liu, X Tan, L Zhang, X Tian, X Shu, S Wu Energy & Fuels 38 (19), 18888-18897 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Study on the influence of steam state on seepage, production, migration and deposition of offshore heavy oilfields Y Zhang, H Chen, Z Zheng, S Yang, X Liu, M Zuo, X Gao Energy 291, 130385 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
Optimizing the development plan for oil production and CO2 storage in target oil reservoir X Liu, H Chen, Y Li, W Cheng, Y Zhu, H Zeng, H Liao Energy Geoscience 6 (2), 100405 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
The characteristics of CO 2 front dynamic migration in low permeability sandstone oil reservoirs under different miscibility degrees Y Jin, Z Wang, Z Zhang, B Lin, Z Ge, Q You, H Chen, X Liu, C Xu, S Gao, ... Geosystem Engineering 26 (4), 119-128 , 2023 2023 Citations: 9
Study on Different Miscibility Intervals of an Impure CO 2 -Crude Oil System in Offshore Low-Permeability Reservoirs R Yang, L Zhang, X Tan, X Tian, Y Jiao, W Zhang, X Shu, X Liu, B Li, ... Energy & Fuels 38 (2), 1010-1018 , 2024 2024 Citations: 8
Formulation and evaluation of a new multi-functional fracturing fluid system with oil viscosity reduction, rock wettability alteration and interfacial modification H Chen, Y Zhang, X Liu, M Zuo, J Liu, H Yu, S Gao, C Xu Journal of Molecular Liquids 375, 121376 , 2023 2023 Citations: 7
Inspirations from Field-Reservoir CO 2 Flooding with Different Miscible Degrees under Cross-Scale Oil Reservoir Conditions L Zhang, X Tan, X Tian, Y Jiao, W Zhang, X Shu, B Li, X Liu, H Chen ACS omega 9 (13), 14692-14703 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Study on Dynamic Variation Characteristics of Reservoir Fluid Phase Behavior During CO 2 Injection in CO 2 Based Enhanced Oil Recovery Process M Zuo, H Chen, C Xu, I Stephenraj, X Qi, H Yu, XY Liu IADC/SPE Asia Pacific Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition … , 2022 2022 Citations: 6